(Yicai Global) Dec. 8 -- The Paulson Institute (PI) today signed a Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement with the China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE) and the Guangzhou Municipal Government. The agreement sets in motion the planning and development of a U.S.-China Sustainable Urbanization Pilot Zone in Guangzhou's new Nansha district. The pilot zone will advance collaborative efforts between U.S. and Chinese companies and showcase the world's most advanced green technologies and best practices. The agreement also establishes cooperative efforts in green finance, demonstration projects, policy proposals, conservation in Nansha, and research on major issues relating to sustainable development in Guangzhou.

The three signing parties will jointly prepare a development plan for the U.S.-China Pilot Zone. The development plan will leverage the membership of the PI and CCIEE led CEO Council for Sustainable Urbanization—a 20-member body comprised of leading American and Chinese CEOs that harnesses the collective power of business to support China's sustainable urbanization efforts. It will encourage CEO Council members and other companies to surface practical solutions on green infrastructure, green and low-carbon industry, smart cities and green supply chains, which could be applied in the zone.

During the signing ceremony, Paulson Institute Chairman, Henry M. Paulson, Jr., said, "The extraordinary growth of China in recent years has made sustainable urbanization an economic and environmental imperative. A US-China Sustainable Urbanization Pilot Zone would represent an important and positive step towards our shared commitment to protect the environment. Our business and government leaders must look at sustainability and environmental protection through an economic lens, because you can't have a healthy economy without a healthy environment."

The Guangzhou government intends to make Nansha a green, ecological, and modern city. The three parties will work together to provide policy guidance and intellectual support, particularly in the Pilot Zone. In 2017, Nansha was designated by China's State Council as China's newest Free Trade Zone. Additionally, Guangdong province – where the Nansha District is located – was included in China's national strategy as a key maritime hub for the recently announced "Belt and Road" initiative.